Roll back on FDI in print, demands Opposition

PTIJul 18, 2002, 03.07am IST

NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday rejected the demand from Opposition and some allies in the Lok Sabha for reconsideration of the decision allowing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the news and current affairs print media saying it was a logical step in the changing economic scenario and not taken under any pressure.

Replying to a four-hour debate on FDI in print media, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj said the decision was taken after addressing all security and national concerns expressed by the Standing Committee headed by Somnath Chatterjee.

The Minister also refuted the Opposition charge that the decision was hasty, saying it was taken after a 10-year debate which was started by the Congress and more than a year after it was referred to the House Committee.

Swaraj revealed that Rao's government had taken the issue of FDI in print media to the cabinet four times.